DMV: Faulty inspection leads to woman's death, charges
BARRE, Vt. — A central Vermont mechanic has been arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment in connection with approving a state inspection for a defective car that later crashed, killing a woman, the authorities said.
Steven Jalbert, 30, of Barre pleaded not guilty to the two charges during a brief hearing Tuesday afternoon in Vermont Superior Court in Barre.
Judge Kevin Griffin agreed with the state's request to release Jalbert on conditions, including that he not drive a car until he is legally licensed and that he have no contact with the victim's family.
The charges stem from the crash that killed Elizabeth Ibey, 82, of Barre Town on July 5, 2014, records show.
The driver, Donald Ibey, 86, of Barre Town reported he was traveling down a steep section of Hill Street "when he heard a pop," police said at the time.
The 1992 Chevrolet sedan continued out of control and crashed.
The manslaughter charge alleges Jalbert "acted with criminal negligence in conducting a motor vehicle safety inspection, causing the death of Elizabeth Ibey." The reckless-endangerment charge maintains that he "placed Donald and Elizabeth Ibey in danger of death or serious bodily injury in recklessly conducting a motor vehicle safety inspection."
If convicted, Jalbert faces up to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and up to one year on the reckless endangerment count, court documents state.
Jalbert, who was employed at the family’s business, A.J.’s Sunoco on Washington Street in Barre, conducted a faulty annual inspection less than two months before to the fatal crash, said Glen Button, director of enforcement for the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The inspection sticker was issued May 9, 2014, according to court records.
The Ibeys' car traveled only 383 miles from the time of the inspection until the crash.
Button said any additional details beyond the arrest by DMV would be released at the arraignment or later by the Vermont Attorney General's Office, which is handling the prosecution.
DMV investigators arrested Jalbert at the service station shortly before his arraignment Tuesday.
Griffin noted that Jalbert's driver's license is suspended in New Hampshire.
Neither Jalbert nor his lawyer commented before leaving the courthouse.
At the service station following the arraignment, Jalbert’s parents, who own the Sunoco, said they would withhold comment and let the case play out in court.